Oppat Improves NCAA Provisional Mark in Shot Put at L&C Invitational

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University thrower David Oppat (Sr., Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) improved his NCAA Division III provisional mark in the men's shot put to 52'8", while winning the event at the Lewis & Clark Invitational on Saturday, April 16. Oppat led a 1-2 finish for the Bearcats as teammate Josh Clothier (Sr., Walla Walla, WA/Walla Walla HS) took second place at 48'11.75".

Oppat's previous NWC provisional qualifying distance was 51'7".

During the meet, Oppat also took sixth in the hammer throw at 155'4". He was seventh in the discus throw with a distance of 139'0".

In addition to placing second in the shot put, Clothier was third in the discus with a throw of 148'9" and fifth in the hammer at 159'1".

Also for the Willamette men's team, Steven Collins (Sr., Zillah, WA/Zillah HS) placed third in the men's hammer throw. His top distance was a personal record of 172'4". Collins led a 1-5-6-7-8 finish for the Bearcats in the event.

Freshman Max Faulhaber (Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS) earned his best shot put of the season at 43'1.50" to place eighth out of 30 entries.

For the WU women's team, Katie Peterson (Jr., Independence, OR/Central HS) was fifth in the javelin throw. She recorded a toss of 117'10".

Ginny Hodges (So., San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius College Prep) set a personal record in the shot put with a throw of 34'11.75" as she placed ninth overall. Hodges also took eighth place in the women's javelin.

Willamette competed mostly in the throwing events at the L&C Invitational. The Bearcats also competed at the NWC Multi-Event Championships on Monday and Tuesday, and at the Mt. SAC Relays on Thursday and Friday.

Up next for Willamette will be the NWC Championships, set for Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. The action is set to start at 2 p.m. (PDT) on Friday and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.